Illustration of flower
- 1 filament
- 2 anther
- 3 stigma
- 4 style
- 5 petal
- 6 ovary
- 7 sepal
- 8 pedicel
- 9 stamen
- 10 pistil
- 11 perianth
flow·er
ˈflau̇(-ə)r 
1
a
: the specialized part of an angiospermous plant that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses whorls of often colorful petals or sepals, and bears the reproductive structures (such as stamens or pistils) involved in the development of seeds and fruit : blossom
b
: a cluster of small flowers growing closely together that resembles and is often viewed as a single flower : inflorescence
a hydrangea flower
c
: a plant grown or valued for its flowers
planted flowers in the front yard
d
: a cut stem of a plant with its flower
a bouquet of flowers
e
: bloom entry 2 sense 1b
lilacs in full flower
2
a
: the best part or example
the flower of our youth
b
: the finest most vigorous period
wasted the flower of their lives
c
: a state of blooming or flourishing
in full flower
3
flowers plural
: a finely divided powder produced especially by condensation or sublimation
flowers of sulfur
Synonyms
Examples of flower in a Sentence
Noun
We planted flowers in the garden.
He sent her a bouquet of flowers.
He wore a single flower in his lapel.
Verb
This tree flowers in early spring.
The plant will flower every other year.
His genius flowered at the university.
a political movement that began to flower during the 1960s
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Jane Gibson, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2024
Gardeners recommend protecting sensitive flowers, such as petunias and marigolds, and sensitive crops, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, by covering them with fabric, burlap or even old newspapers.
—Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2024
The three appeared to have mended their rift several times, with Ye sending Swift flowers and Kardashian and Swift seen dancing during a Ye performance at an awards show.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2024
Being one of the world’s most isolated archipelagos, the Azores harbor many unique species, including one of the world’s rarest flowers, Myosotis azorica.
—Andrew Nelson, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
To celebrate the unprecedented accomplishment, the Renaissance singer sent Staley flowers and a card congratulating her on the unblemished season.
—Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
Okra pods grow quickly, emerging about five days after the yellow flowers appear.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2024
Missouri’s recreational marijuana law allows customers to buy up to 3 ounces of marijuana flower, or the equivalent in other products, at a time.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
In the historic courtyard outside, MCM also utilized a transparent greenhouse as a flower shop, book store, and temporary boutique.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024
Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024
It’s been an evolution of nearly a decade, say Zamora and Rojas, but today, their backyard boasts a deck rimmed with pots of colorful succulents and wide water-permeable paths of flagstone and river pebbles, lined with fragrant plantings of California native trees and flowering shrubs.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Wedding invites and flowering trees aside, this spring seems to be blossoming with It girlies’ album releases.
—Chelsea Daniel, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2024
Lahr Native Plant Symposium and Native Plant Sale at the U.S. National Arboretum
Need a break from flowering Japanese trees this weekend?
—Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
Since these plants finish flowering by June or earlier, stems can be cut back as desired around late spring.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2024
Stewart recommends camellia oil, a Japanese oil extracted from the seed of a flowering shrub, to lubricate moving parts of tools and protect them from rusting with a preventative coating.
—Halee Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2024
Beyond the cherry blossoms, spring is still young and many more trees and plants have yet to flower — the Yoshino cherries are among the first to bloom.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024
Top Stories The girl bosses began dying almost immediately after flowering.
—Abigail Anthony, National Review, 11 Feb. 2024
Noun
But none of it mattered in the end, because tens of thousands of people showed up absolutely geeked to light up in public with like-minded folks, drop bundles of cash on flower, hash, and edibles, and ring in the high holiday with a wild, hazy celebration.
—Mary Jane Gibson, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2024
Gardeners recommend protecting sensitive flowers, such as petunias and marigolds, and sensitive crops, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, by covering them with fabric, burlap or even old newspapers.
—Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2024
The three appeared to have mended their rift several times, with Ye sending Swift flowers and Kardashian and Swift seen dancing during a Ye performance at an awards show.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2024
Being one of the world’s most isolated archipelagos, the Azores harbor many unique species, including one of the world’s rarest flowers, Myosotis azorica.
—Andrew Nelson, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
To celebrate the unprecedented accomplishment, the Renaissance singer sent Staley flowers and a card congratulating her on the unblemished season.
—Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
Okra pods grow quickly, emerging about five days after the yellow flowers appear.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2024
Missouri’s recreational marijuana law allows customers to buy up to 3 ounces of marijuana flower, or the equivalent in other products, at a time.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
In the historic courtyard outside, MCM also utilized a transparent greenhouse as a flower shop, book store, and temporary boutique.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024
Verb
This tender white flowering shrub makes any garden look classic and timeless.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024
It’s been an evolution of nearly a decade, say Zamora and Rojas, but today, their backyard boasts a deck rimmed with pots of colorful succulents and wide water-permeable paths of flagstone and river pebbles, lined with fragrant plantings of California native trees and flowering shrubs.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Wedding invites and flowering trees aside, this spring seems to be blossoming with It girlies’ album releases.
—Chelsea Daniel, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2024
Lahr Native Plant Symposium and Native Plant Sale at the U.S. National Arboretum
Need a break from flowering Japanese trees this weekend?
—Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
Since these plants finish flowering by June or earlier, stems can be cut back as desired around late spring.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2024
Stewart recommends camellia oil, a Japanese oil extracted from the seed of a flowering shrub, to lubricate moving parts of tools and protect them from rusting with a preventative coating.
—Halee Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2024
Beyond the cherry blossoms, spring is still young and many more trees and plants have yet to flower — the Yoshino cherries are among the first to bloom.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024
Top Stories The girl bosses began dying almost immediately after flowering.
—Abigail Anthony, National Review, 11 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flower.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near flower
Cite this Entry
“Flower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flower. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flower
1 of 2 noun
flow·er
ˈflau̇(-ə)r
1
a
: a specialized plant part that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses often colorful petals or sepals, and bears reproductive organs involved in the development of seeds and fruit : blossom
b
: a cluster of small flowers growing closely together that resembles and is often viewed as a single flower : inflorescence
a hydrangea flower
c
: a plant grown or valued for its flowers
planted flowers
d
: a cut stem of a plant with its flower
a bouquet of flowers
2
: the best part or example
in the flower of his youth
flower
2 of 2 verb1
: to produce flowers : bloom
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share